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The psychology of prohibition: online gambling

March 11th, 2010

Here is something we normally don’t do. We want to analyze the current zeitgeist revolving around online gambling in the United States of America. This may seem to be an insurmountable task and we don’t pretend to give a very profound analysis of the current situation with online betting and gambling in the USA. However, we want to point out some patterns that have been repeated in history and perhaps will be helpful when viewing the current situation.

Prohibition has always been a controversial theme. Most people are aware that the prohibition of alcohol in the USA was a complete debacle. When the alcohol became illegal in the US, cities like New York were overflowing with underground taverns where people would anxiously visit to be part of the “happening” crowd, the adventurous people that will flirt with danger and possible punishment. Not only in the United States but in other parts of the world, prohibition has proven to be futile. The very act of prohibiting something makes the illegal thing more attractive to the general public. In Amsterdam where the selling, consumption and possession of Marihuana is legal, studies have shown that among the residing population there the consumption levels is less than in many other cities in Europe. The only people that go out of control and suffer accidents are the tourists that flood the city to overindulge in drugs that are illegal in their home countries.

With these reflections in view, it will seem logical that prohibiting gambling online in the US will not solve the problem at all. People will continue to find ways to play online and participate in that renegade instinct that seems to govern most people. We trust that the US government will soon realize this and start opening a dialogue with those that support online gambling in a responsible, regulated fashion. Some politicians are already moving towards this direction and there is hope for US online casino players, that one day they may play responsibly and without difficulty at online betting sites.

Mastercard makes online slots a difficult business

February 11th, 2010

The mega corporation Mastercard Worldwide has startled the online gambling industry in the USA. Last week Mastercard, without warning, starting cracking down and blocking on all transactions going to online casinos, poker sites and sport books. Suddenly many US players realized that their credit card deposits via Mastercard weren’t being accepted. So far, every major company that provides gambling services to the US public have been affected by this swift move made by one of the leading credit card providers in the world.

Such events certainly produce a shock but all the panic has subsided. US players still have a variety of options to deposit with and there hasn’t been done permanent damage. Players are now depositing via Visa cards, ewalletxpress, quicktender, Western Union, Money Gram and other alternative methods.

Experts say that this sudden decision by Mastercard comes as a direct result of the UIGEA. This is a law that was passed during the Bush administration in 2006. Succinctly stated, this law forbids financial institutions such as banks or credit card companies, to furnish transfers of funds to and from gaming sites. The UIGEA had a deadline for all financial institutions to come into agreement with the law which was originally set for December 2009. The Treasury of the United States delayed the deadline for another six months on the final days of November 2009.

The question remains if other corporations like Visa, will make similar moves or if they will wait to see how the gambling issue is debated in congress in the months to come. For now online slot players still have easy ways to fund their casino, poker and sport books accounts. Likewise, there are even more methods available for players to receive their winnings from any of these gaming sites.